This review may contain spoilers
Love & dislike it, typical work of director
I love a lot of the director's works, but he has a certain style of filming that makes it a little awkward. Especially the kissing and NC scenes. Weird hand placements, weird angles and positions etc. and it doesn't feel natural (could be because the actors feel awkward doing it?). I really don't care much about NC, but the kisses doesn't seem all that natural to me. And I kind of hate all the slow-mo in a lot of scenes. I guess it's supposed to be seen as more romantic or gives it a little more suspense? However - this is my favorite drama at the moment (my comfort-series), mostly because of the friendships and the actors. But the connection that is shown on screen is basically thanks to the actors who actually have great friendships and chemistry with each other off-screen :)I understand that it's all based on the novel (haven't read it), but here are some of my thoughts.
What I liked:
- The friendship that is shown among all of them.
- Funny sound effects. Makes it more cute and easy to watch.
- No toxic ex-girlfriends/boyfriends.
- Healthy way of showing friendships and romantic relationships.
- There is basically no "second-guessing" their feelings. It should've been shown better tho.
- Lots of kisses between main characters.
What I didn't like:
- The whole manipulation-thing. Seems unreasonable since they both did wrong, but technically Phum just had to apologize in the beginning. I know it was from the novel, but still.
- The gang should've encouraged honesty instead of "playing games" with the whole Q-thing.
- They kind of act like children even tho they should be around 20 years old (second year student). Some things are funny or cute, but other things are really weird for that age (like mentioned above).
- No character history.
- No clear communications between any couples until they become couples. TanFang shows their feelings best.
- The second love interest coming in between PhumPeen-cp was unnecessary since nothing actually happened.
- No timeline shown, you only roughly knows it thanks to the art students works and gallery displays.
- Unnecessary happenings to just get the story to drag out. Like the almost-confession from Peem, the horse at the trip, the last trip in ep 15 (?), when Tan waits for Fang, the whole "who's better looking" situation when going to Loy Krathong fair etc.
- No big situation. Every character seems to live a happy life (except for the few scenes with Phum and his dad). This could've been more developed and make it even more serious. To just disappear like Phum did after an argument, without answering Peem, seems a little weird.
- Phum's (Pond's) hair always changes through the whole series. Like yes, I understand that it's all filmed at different times, but it seems so unnatural when he has light brown hair in one scene and next he has darker shade, and then again it switches to light right after.
- Chain & Pun-couple isn't even needed in the storyline and feels more forced. They don't even have a story and their screen time are really weird interactions, like with the bird. These two actors doesn't have great chemistry either.
I have more to say, but even if there is so many negatives, I still find this to be one of my favorite series, since I don't have to be emotionally involved and it's so easy to watch. But honestly, I skip a lot of parts because it's so awkward or scenes that doesn't interest me.
I really like PhumPeem, but they are all over the place. They seem awkward with each other. I know that both Pond and Phuwin are really great actors, but it isn't really shown here. Nothing really seems natural. And I really wanted more honesty between them. Like Phum could've said he was jealous, right? It's weird that he brought up the slave thing.
TanFang fits well. They act really natural with each other, even if Tan's behavior can be a little overwhelming and weird sometimes. I'm a little sad that we didn't get more character history here. When did Fang start liking Tan for exemple.
Q and Toey are good in their own way, but when they become a couple, it becomes so sugar sweet that I get sick. Q as a friend feels really great and mature.
Chain and Pun isn't really needed as a couple for the story, and they only get together in the last episode.
I'm still gonna give it a 10 since it's my to-go-to series when I have nothing else to watch :)
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